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F♯ scottish pentatonic scale on bass guitar
F♯ scottish pentatonic uses F♯, G♯, B, C♯, and D♯. Box 1 starts on string 4, fret 2, keeping the root under your index finger.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
How do you play the F♯ scottish pentatonic scale on bass?
F♯ scottish pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the D string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F♯ scottish pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 14 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 14 | D♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 14 | G♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Derived from F♯ major pentatonic by raising the third A♯ to B. The intervals are 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 with steps W, 1½, W, W, 1½. Compare with F♯ major pentatonic to hear the suspended fourth. This scale lacks the third and seventh, giving a neutral, airy quality.
When to use it
Use it over F♯ 5th and F♯ suspended 2nd chords for a bright, open sound. It fits folk and rock grooves in F♯ major or F♯ mixolydian contexts. Try it over F♯ 5th or F♯ suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. It keeps the root under your first finger on string 4, fret 2 and covers frets 4–7 for easy access to the low register.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ scottish pentatonic?
The notes are F♯, G♯, B, C♯, and D♯. The scale omits the third and seventh, creating an open sound. It is built from the major pentatonic with a raised third. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords work with F♯ scottish pentatonic?
F♯ 5th and F♯ suspended 2nd chords fit well. The scale's fourth and second degrees match sus2 voicings. Avoid chords with a major third unless you want tension.
How does F♯ scottish pentatonic differ from F♯ major pentatonic?
F♯ scottish pentatonic raises the third A♯ to B. This replaces the major third with a perfect fourth. The resulting scale has a suspended, open quality.